Feodorit, a monk of the Solovetski monastery
Feodorit
Feodorit, a monk of the Solovetski monastery
Feodorit (about 1489-1571) was a monk of the Solovetski monastery, who settled on the shores of the Kuõlnõgkluhht (Kola-golf) at the beginning of the 16th century and worked there during about 20 years. According to a biography of Feodorit, after having learnt the Saami language he introduced the local Saami to the gospel, taught them some Bible texts and translated some prayers into Saami. In the basis of this mention in the biography, many Russian historians have been of the opinion, that Feodorit was a founder of the Saami written language. With governmental support Feodorit founded a monastery in Kola. The Russian Orthodox Church considered Feodorit as a baptiser and enlightener of the local Saami and canonized him. His memory day is celebrated 17.8., but Sanctimonious Feodorit is remembered during the memory days of other saints of the Solovetskij monastery and Novgorod. A biography of Feodorit was written by his contemporary, a Russian prince A. M. Kurbskij (1528-1583). Unlike other Orthodox saints the biography of Feodorit is not written in the form of the traditional Russian hagiography, but in the form of memoirs.
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